Drug Overdoses Increasing At New York City Homeless Shelters

The number of opioid overdoses occurring in New York City-run homeless shelters nearly doubled during July 1 to December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The statistics pertain to homeless shelters run by the city’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS). From July 1 through December 31, 2021, there were 632 overdoses compared to 364 during the same period in 2020. During this period, shelter occupancy averaged 48,000 people per month.

The number of annual overdoses in DHS-run shelters has increased by 55% from 2019 through 2021. During the same period, average monthly occupancy . . .